Will cameras actually curb speeding in L.A.? San Francisco offers a clue
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
A year after the installation of speed cameras in San Francisco, drivers in the city are slowing down, data shows, and experts say the technology could have a similar effect once cameras are installed in Los Angeles.According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — defined as drivers going more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.The number of repeat offenders dropped, too.Roadway and urban engineering experts say San Francisco’s findings are on par with the success of other communities across the nation that have already implemented speed camera technology.
“The results are clear,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie in a statement.“Drivers are changing their behavior.”When Los Angeles finishes installing 125 cameras throughout its 15 districts by the end of July, the city hopes the implementation will lead to a similar significant reduction in speeding drivers .
According to experts, here are some takeaways L.A.can glean from its Bay Area neighbor.San Francisco and Los Angeles are just two of six California cities participating in a five-year pilot program that was authorized by a bill signed into law in 2023.
The goal is to combat speeding and an alarming rise in traffic-related deaths by ticketing drivers going at least 10 mph over the speed limit.San José, Oakland, Glendale and Long Beach are also participating.San Francisco is the first city to hit the one-year mark.
A fluctuating team of less than 15 people within the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency regularly collects and analyzes data from the speed cameras and other sensing equipment to further understand traffic patterns, track how many tickets are issued at any given camera location and how fast drivers are going, said Viktoriya Wise, director of streets for the agen...